Support for laboratory filtering apparatus or the like



W. B. SUPPORT FOR LABORATORY FILTERING SOBERS APPARATUS OR THE LIKE Filed Jan. 26, 1948 sept. 4, 1951 INVE TOR. 5% ,9%

Patented Sept. 4, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT FIC 566,430 A"sUPoR'r FoR LABORATORY FILTERING APPARATUS OR THE LIKE Winield B. SobersUMiIWaukee, Wis., assignoi to fr ecision Scientific Company, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Illinois v Application January 26, 1948, Serial No. 41,344

12 Claims. 1

This invention relates to improvements in supports for laboratory filtering apparatus or the like,

Filtration is one of the most common operations performed in chemical laboratories, and in some laboratories a large number of filtering operations are carried on at the same time., Frequently, one person must attend. to a plurality of these operations and must continually move from one filtering apparatusset-up to another, adding solutionlto the filters as required in order to keep all ofthe filters `in operation and thereby maintain .the highest efficiency.

.ConVentionallyg each filtering apparatus setup or assembly consists of a glass filter funnel.

wherein the filter `paper is supported, a iilter funnel supporting stand, a `beaker containing the solution to be filtered, and la beaker in which the filtrate is collected.` AIt may be desired to retain the filtrate, or this filtrate may be discarded upon `completion of the filtering operation. At present, the usual laboratory procedure is for the operator to line up along the laboratory table all of the individual filtering setups and then move along the entire length of the table adjacent the set-ups attending toeach as needed. To add solution to a filter, the beaker containing the solutionto `be filtered must `be raised from its position on the table to Va position over the top` of the lilter funnel,- and then when the desired amount of solution has been added, the bealger is returned to its former position on the table.`

Transferring the beakers through the above mentioned positions not only requires many time consuming lifting operations, but also creates a likelihood of striking the funnel stand or the funnel Withthe beaker `during its travel to or from pouring position. Such striking may result in spilling of the solution, in dropping ofthe beaker,` or in breakage.

With the abovein mind it is, therefore, a general object of the invention toprovide a support for laboratory ltering apparatus which will rotatably accommodate av plurality of filtering assembl-ies, each of which may comprise a filter funnel andA a pair of beakers. I

A further object :ofthe invention is to provide a means for supporting a plurality of filtering assemblies Which requires a minimuml of table top area and permits theoperator to attendto each or any individual filteringassembly Without having to move from a position adjacent the improved support.

@A further object of the-invention is' to provide asupport `for a? plurality 'of filtering assemblies which Support is provided ,with a oommoh trough adjacent said assemblies intqiwhich filtrate from one or more of s aid assemblies may be directed by the stems of the filteringfunnels thereOLsaid trough being connectable, either with a single container into which the filtrate is to be collected,

or With a sink drain, thereby eliminating the handling and ,washing of. aplurelitv of ,lpdividual beakers which would otherwise be used to Collect the filtrate from. oath assemblyt l A further object of the invention is to provide e .supportfop o plurality .o.f...l.llter.lhg, assemblies which support is provided with a trough common to all of said assemblies which filtratel therefrom may be dlreeted).u Sele. trough. heling eohpeotious vvltha .souroeot oolullushlhe Water epd having op .outlet whereby. Continuous uuohf me of the trough isposplble `thereby eliminating the escape of no: iou s, fumes and volatile gases into the. atmosphere.oftheluhorotoly- A furthermorespecilc object of the invention is to provide @rotatablesuppolitforo plurality of filtering assemblies Whloh comprises@ pair. 0l vertically adiustably speeedJ sllsoeleeoh formed with a plurality of apertures adjacentthe pe:- riphery thereof, the apertures of the upperdisc being alineable With the apertures of the lower disc and said discs beingponnected for rotatable movement as a unit, there being a circular trough positioned unde1 t he apertures of said lower disc whereby a plurality ofufilteringniunnels may be supported in theapertures ofthe upper dise .epfl whereby the. stems .of Sold furlhels may .selectively proieet lut, [the apertures. of the ,lower `disc to permit drainage of filtrate into the. trough or .they may .proleot '.lpto oohvf tainers thereunder supported on said lower disc for collection `of filtrate therein.

A further objectof the inventi o r 1 is to provide a` rotatable support f or a pluralitypf filtering assemblies which'- Amakes provision for convenient stand above the levelofthetops ofthe filtering tunnels on which,towstorev the containers for the solutions to be filtered priorto the introduction of the solutions into the respetiveifllters. This eliminates the y need forHraising the corr-` tainers from.. the teble.,.tep ,level to. ,position above the funnel in order to pgursolutionsinto the funuels and; ,in additloh,greduoes the poesie4 bility of striking. .the...,eohteihere eeeluet the. tunnels While transferring saidcontaine'rs from Storage position` to pouring position.`

A` further morehspecifiqobject ot thef in venf tion .1S to .provioeo rotatable .Support .for .a

plurality of filtering units which provides a con- 3 vement storage shelf for a wash bottle, or for other apparatus useful in the operation of the filtering assemblies, said shelf being located above the level of the tops of the ltering funnels and above and inwardly of the support for solution containers,lsaid shelf being formed with an integral annular bushing on its under side which acts as a `centering Vmember for the rotating portion of the apparatus. g

A further object of the invention is to provide a rotatable support for a plurality of filtering assemblies consisting of a pair of apertured vertically adjustably spaced discs the upper of which is adapted to support a plurality of ltering funnels, said support being provided with stop means whereby the upper of said discs is prevented from moving below a predetermined `position and whereby breakage of glassware from accidental lowering of the upper disc to a position too close tothe lower disc isY prevented.

VWith the above -and other objects in View, the invention consists of theimproved rotatable support for laboratory filtering apparatus or the like, and all of its parts and combinations as set forth in the claims, and all equivalents thereof. v

In the accompanyingvr drawing. illustrating one complete embodiment of the preferred form of the invention, in which the same reference characters indicate the same parts in all of the views:

Fig. 1 is a perspective View of the invention showing a plurality of filtering assemblies supported thereon; and

Fig. 2 is va vertical sectional view of the invention, there being a dot and dash line showing f the upper discs in raised position.

VReferring more particularly to the drawing, the numeral 5 designates a base member comprising an annular trough 6 formed integral with radial supporting arms preferably three in number, said arms meeting at the center to form an apertured hub 'member 8. The arms at their outer ends, are formedY with downwardly and outwardly projecting legs 9 which extend l underneath the trough 6. The trough 6 is preferably apertured as at I0 to receive an outlet connection II for flushing water, and diametrically opposite therefrom the trough 6 is apertured as at I2 to receive a drain connection I3. The trough 6 slopes slightly downwardly from the ushing water inlet side to the drain side.

Fixed in the aperture of the hub 8 and projecting vertically upward therefrom is an elongated cylindrical member or rod I4. Concentric with the cylindrical member I4 and rotatably supported on the hub 8 is a Atubular member I5 which is formed at its'lower end with an outwardly projecting flange I6 andan inwardly projecting flange I6. TheV tubular member I5 is also formed with a longitudinal exterior groove I1. Rigidly connected `to the flange I6, as by rivets I8, and supported by said flange, is a centrally apertured lower disc I9. The disc I9 is formed with av plurality of apertures 20 adjacent the periphery thereof.

Concentric' with the tubular member I5 and slidable thereon isa sleeve 2|. The sleeve 2| is preferably formed with an outwardly projecting flange 22 adjacent theV upper end thereof, and is also formed togthreadedly receive a manually adjustable set screw 23. end of the screw 23vis adapted to engage the groove I'| of the member I5, and to act as a Y releasablelocking member for holding the sleeve The inner ported on the flange 22'of the sleeve 2|, and

another centrally apertured disc 26 of smaller diameter than that of the disc 25 is superimposed on the disc 25, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The discs 25 and 26 may be rigidly connected to the flange 22 by means of the screw 2l.` The screw 21 is provided with a knurled head 28 and'may be manually removed from the flange 22 to permit rotation of the discs 25 and 26 relative to the flange 22, should this be required for certain laboratory procedures. The disc 25 is formed with a plurality of apertures 29 which are preferably bevelled and which are adapted to receive standard laboratory funnels, such as are shown at 30, or other laboratory equipment. The thickness of the disc 25 and the size of the apertures 29 Yare such that the top edges of standard laboratory funnels when positioned in the apertures 29 are spaced slightly below the upper surface of the disc'26, as is clear from Figs. 1 and 2.

Supported on the top of the tubular member I5 is a shelf 3| which is formed on its under side with an annular bushing 32. The bushing 32 projects downwardly between the upper end of the cylindrical member I4 and the upper end of the tubular member I5, as is clearly shown in Fig. 2. The bushing 32 acts as a bearing between the upper end of the tubular member I5 and the cylindrical member |4, and the inwardly projecting flange I6 serves asia bearing between the lower end of the member I5 and the member I4. The shelf 3| may be used for the storage of a wash bottle 33 or other laboratory equipment.

The apertures 2U in the lower disc I9 are positioned to register with the annular trough 6, andY when the disc 25 is xed to the flange 22, the apertures of the disc 25 are in vertical alignment with those of the disc I9, as is shown in the drawing. This latter arrangement is that which is normally used during ordinary filtering operations. The sleeve 2|, and the discs 25 and 26, supported thereon, are movable to any desired position of vertical adjustment. The dot and dash lines of Fig. 2 indicate the discs'25 and 26 in a raised position.

In a filtering operation where the filtrate is to be discarded, Vmuch handling and washing of glassware maybe avoided by projecting the stems of the filtering funnels through the apertures 20 of the disc I9 and into the trough 6. The filtrate will then be carried out the drain I3 by flushing water from the inlet II. If the filtrate is to be collected, this may be done either by `containers such as the beakers 34 placed on the lowerV disc I9 as shown, or by not using flushing water in the trough 6, and bythen collecting the filtrate at the drain I3 ofthe trough.V The sleeve 2| being movable vertically, permits'the use of long stemmed funnels in connection with collecting beakers instead Vof the short stemmed funnels shown with the beakers 34. Due to the fact that the sleeve 2| cannot -move'below its position shown in the drawing, the lower ends of the funnels projecting through the apertures 2|)Y and into the trough 6 will never-come in contact with* the `bottom of the trough .5. The useof a sleeve of `the length shown is therefore `a .safety measure which prevents the accidental lowering of the disc 25 to a position wherein the funnels might be dislodged from the supporting apertures 29 with resulting spillage or breakage.

As ,shown in Fig. l, the disc 26 may be used as a shelf on which to store containers of solutions which are about to be put into the iiltering `funnels 3B. This convenient storage space eliminates the need for raising the containers of solution from the laboratory table top to a pouring position each time it is desired to add some solution. Since the top of the disc 2E is above the level of the tops of the funnels 30, the likelihood of striking these funnels` with the solution containers while transferring said containers to and from pouring position is greatly reduced.

In operation, the discs I9 and 25 are normally rotatable as a unit. In order for the operator to attend to any particular ltering assembly carried by the improved support, it is only necessary for him to rotate the discs I9 and 25 to bring said assembly to a convenient position. This is in contrast to the conventional procedure of having to move back and forth along the length of a laboratory table where `a series of filtering assemblies is set up along the top thereof.

,The disc I9 not only provides a support for the beakers 34, but it `also forms a cover for the trough '6 to aid in reducing the amount of fumes and gases which escape into the atmosphere. These fumes and gases being confined to the trough are quickly carried away by the iiushing water.

Various changes and modiiications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention, and all of such changes are contemplated, as will come within the scope of the claims.

What I claim is:

1. A support for laboratory ltering apparatus or the like comprising a base, a cylindrical member supported by said base for rotation on a vertical axis, a first horizontally extendingv disc xedly mounted on said cylindrical member for rotationv therewith, a sleeve member concentrically slidable on said cylindrical member above said disc and movable on said member toward and away from said disc, a `second horizontally extending disc supported by said sleeve and movable therewith relative to said first disc, each of said discs being foimed with a plurality of apert'res adjacent the periphery thereof, releasable means for locking said sleeve in a selected vertical position on said cylindrical member relative to said first disc, and an annular trough on said base member positioned below the apertures of said first mentioned disc.

2. A support for laboratory ltering apparatus ori-the like comprising a base, a cylindrical member supported by said base for rotation on a vertical axis, a nrst horizontally extending disc xedly mounted on said cylindrical member for rotation therewith, a sleeve member concentrically slidable on said cylindrical member above said disc and movable on said member toward and away from said disc, a second horizontally leasable means for locking said sleeve in a selected vertical position on said cylindrical member relative to said first disc, and an annular trough on said base member positioned below the apertures of said first mentioned disc.

3. A support for laboratory ltering apparatus or the like comprising a base, a cylindrical membersupported by said base for rotation on a vertical axis, a first horizontally extending disc Iixedly mounted on said cylindrical member -for rotation therewith, a sleeve member concentrically slidable on said cylindrical member above said disc and movable onsaid member toward and away from said disc. a second horizontally extending disc supported by said sleeve and movable therewith relative to said first disc, each of said discs being formed with a plurality of apertures adjacent the periphery thereof, releasable means for locking said sleeve in a selected vertical position on said cylindrical member relative to said first disc, an annular trough `on said base member positioned below the apertures of lsaid first mentioned disc, means for supplying flushing water to said trough, and an outlet for said trough.

4. A support for laboratory filtering apparatus or the like comprising a base, a cylindrical member projecting upwardly from said base, a tubular member concentric with said cylindrical member and supported by said base for rotation on a vertical axis, a stand supported by the top of said tubular member and having an annular bushing depending therefrom, said bushing being positioned between said cylindrical member and said` tubular member, a horizontally extending disc xedly mounted on said tubular member for rotation therewith, a sleeve concentrically slidable on said tubular member and positioned above said disc, a second horizontally extending disc supported by said sleeve, each of said discs being formed with a plurality of apertures adjacent the periphery thereof, releasable vmeans for locking said sleeve in a selected vertical position on said tubular member, and an annularA trough on said base member positioned below the apertures of said first mentioned disc.

5. A support for laboratory filtering apparatus or the like comprising a base, a cylindrical member projecting upwardly from said base, a tubular member surrounding and concentric with said cylindrical member and supported by said base for rotation on a vertical axis, a horizontally extending disc iixedly mounted on said tubular member for rotation therewith, a sleeve member concentrically slidable on and non-rotatably connected to said tubular member and positioned above said disc, a second horizontally extending disc supported by said sleeve, each of said discs being formed with a plurality of apertures adjacent the periphery thereof, releasable means for locking said sleeve in a selected vertical position on said tubular member, and an annular trough on said base member positioned below the apertures of said first mentioned disc.

6. A support for laboratory ltering apparatus. or the like comprising a base, a cylindrical member projecting upwardly from said base, a tubular member surrounding and concentric with said cylindrical member for rotation on a vertical axis,

a horizontally extending disc iixedly mounted on` said tubular member for rotation therewith, a sleeve concentrically slidable on and non-rotatably connected to saidtubular member positioned above said disc, said sleeve being formed with an outwardlyprojecting flange, a second horizontallyV extending disc supported by said ange, each of said discs being formed with a plurality ot apertures adjaeentthef 'periphery thereof, sardi second disc being sousupported by the flangev that it maybe rotatably adjusted relative tothe first disc, releasable means for locking said sleeve in a selected .vertical position on said tubular` member, an annular trough on said base member positioned below the apertures of said first mentioned disc, and an outlet for said trough.

.7; A support for laboratory filtering apparatus` said tubular member for rotation therewith, a.

sleeve concentrically slidableon and non-rotatably. connected tosaid tubular member positioned above said disc, said sleeve being formed'with an outwardly projecting flange, a second horizontallyiextending disc supported by said ange, each of said discs being formed with a plurality of apertures adjacent the periphery thereof, releasable means for locking said sleeve in a selected verticalposition on said tubular member, an annular trough on said base member positioned below the apertures of said first mentioned disc, a connection on said trough for the introduction ofV ushing water, and anoutlet connection for said trough. Y l

8. A support for laboratory filtering apparatus or the like comprising abase, a cylindrical member projecting upwardly from said base, a tubular member concentric. with and surrounding said cylindrical member. for. rotation on a vertical axis, a horizontally extending discxedly mounted on said tubular member for rotation therewith, a sleeve concentrically slidable on and nonrotatably connected to said tubular member positioned above said disc, said sleeve being formed with an outwardly projecting flange, a second horizontally extending disc rigidly connected to said flange, each of said discs being formed withv a plurality of apertures adjacent the periphery thereof, the apertures of one disc being in substantial vertical alignment with the apertures A of the other disc, manually releasable screw.

means for locking said sleeve in a selected vertical position on said tubular member, an annularV trough on said base member positioned below the apertures of said iirst mentioned disc, a connection on said trough for the introduction of ilushing water, and anV outlet connection for said trough.

9. A support for laboratory filtering apparatus or the like comprising a base, a cylindrical member projecting upwardly from said base,.a tubular member concentric `with and surrounding said cylindrical member and supported by said base for rotation on a vertical axis, a horizontally extending disc flxedly mounted on said tub`ular member for rotationV therewith, a sleeve centrically slidable on and non-rotatably connected tosaid tubular member positioned above said disc,Y said sleeve being formed with an outwardly projecting Ilange, a second horizontally extend-` ing disc supported by said flange, removable means for connecting said second disc to said sleeve flange to provide for selective rotation of said second disc relative to said flange, each of said discs beingY formed with a plurality of apertures adjacent the periphery thereof, a manually adjustable screw on said sleeve for locking said sleeve in a selected vertical position on said tubular member, an annular trough ,on said base member positioned below the apertures of said first mentioned disc, a connectionV onsaid :ltrouglil for the introduction of flushing water, and an outlet connection for said trough. i i .10.' A` support for laboratory ltering apparatus or the like comprising: a base; a horizontally.

extending beaker supporting disc formed with.A apertures adjacent the periphery thereof; a horizontally extending funnel supporting disc; means supporting said two discs on said base for coaxial rotation inspaced horizontal planes with the funnel supporting disc above the beaker supporting disc, said funnel supporting disc being formed with a plurality of funnel receiving aper tures in vertical alinement with the apertures of the beaker supporting disc, and said funnel sup` porting disc being spaced above the beaker sup-v porting disc a distance sufllcient to permit ltrat'e collecting beakers to be placed'on said beaker'- supporting disc below the apertures of said funnel supporting disc; and an annular trough positioned on said base below said beaker supporting disc and in alinement with the apertures thereof, whereby filtrate from funnels carried by the funnel supportingrdisc may beV drained 3 into said trough or alternatively collected in beakers positioned'on the beaker supporting disc.

11. A support for laboratory filtering apparatus or the like comprising: a base; a horizontal'-y ly-extending beaker supporting disc formed with, apertures adjacent the periphery thereof; ahorizontally extending funnel supporting disc; means supporting said two discs on said base for coaxial: rotation in spaced horizontal planes with the funnel supporting disc adjustably positioned above the beaker supporting disc, said funnel supporting disc being formed with a plurality' of funnel receiving apertures in vertical alinement with the apertures of the beaker supporting discr and saidfunne1 supporting disc being spacedI above the beaker supporting disc a minimum distance at least sufcient to permit filtrate 'collecting beakers tobe placed on'said beaker supporting disc below the apertures of said funnelv supporting disc; and an annular trough posi' tioned on said base below said beaker support--V ing disc and in alinement with the apertures thereof, whereby ltrate from funnels carriedl by the funnel supporting disc may be drained into said trough or alternatively collected inbeakeis: positioned on the beaker .supportingV disc.

12. A support for laboratory filtering appara tus or the like comprising: a base; a horizontally extending beaker supporting disc rotatably mounted on said base and formed with apertures adjacent the periphery thereof; a horizontally. extending funnel supporting disc; means sup porting said two discs on said base for` coaxial rotation in spaced horizontal planes with the` funnel supporting disc above the beaker support# ing disc, said funnel supporting disc being formedV With a plurality of funnel receiving apertures in vertical alinement with the apertures of the beak, er supporting disc and said'funnel supporting disc being spaced above the beaker supporting, distA a minimum distance at least suflicient to permit filtrate collecting beakers to be placed on4 said beaker Vsupporting disc below Ythe aperturesfof said funnel supporting disc; an annular trough having an outlet positioned on said base below said beaker supporting disc and in alinementyvithA the apertures thereof, lwhereby filtrate from fun-A nels carried by the funne1 supporting disc mayy be drained into said trough or alternatively .col-` lected in beakers positioned on the beaker sup;a

porting disc; and means for introducing flushing Water into said annular trough.

WINFIELD B. SOBERS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the fue of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date Fahlberg Nov. 2, 1875 Mandel Nov. 29, 1898 Shafer et a1 June 30, 1903 Elson May 26, 1914 Number Number OTHER REFERENCES Fisher: Modern Laboratory Appliances, v01. 90, page 854, item 114-733, page 855, item 14-745. Copyright 1942. 

